Python Noughts & Crosses / Tic Tac Toe Game 6: Adding a CPU player

Python Tic Tac Toe — Adding a CPU Player

Purpose

Replace the second human player with a simple CPU opponent so the game can be played against the computer.

Key technical points and steps

• Use Python’s built-in random module to generate moves.
• Have the CPU produce a random move within the same range as player inputs: positions 1–9.
• Typical flow:
  1. import random
  2. Generate a random number for the move (in the valid range).
  3. Optionally print the chosen move for debugging and visibility.
• Everything else in the game remains unchanged; on the CPU’s turn the program selects the move instead of prompting a human.

Implementation notes

• Keep the CPU logic simple: pick a random available position.
• Ensure the random move is validated (not already taken).
• Use print statements during development so the chosen move is visible in the game output.

Tutorial context

• This is a how-to/code-demo step in a series (Game 6).
• Serves as a simple starting point before implementing smarter AI (for example, minimax or heuristics).

Source

• Presented by the video tutorial’s narrator (YouTube tutorial author).